KubuntuKofficeByDefault

Differences between revisions 21 and 22
⇤ ← Revision 21 as of 2006-11-09 08:30:57 →
Size: 3006
Editor: 209-79-152-234
Comment:
← Revision 22 as of 2006-11-09 17:03:29 → ⇥
Size: 2552
Editor: 207
Comment:
Deletions are marked like this. Additions are marked like this.
Line 15: Line 15:
We want to move towards using KOffice by default because ... We want to move towards using KOffice by default because:
Line 19: Line 19:
 * Uses less space on the CDRom leaving room for future apps without removing lang packs as Kubuntu grows
 * Support KDE apps in our KDE Based Distro		  * Uses less space on the CDRom leaving room for future apps without removing language packs as Kubuntu grows
 * Support KDE applications in our KDE Based Distro
Line 24: Line 24:
Although OpenOffice.org Base is included by default -- I think only because it's not packaged separately (?). My proposal is to include Kexi as well (if Base is not detachable from oo.org)
About Kexi: It can be used for creating database schemas, inserting data, performing queries, and processing data. Forms can be created to provide a custom interface to your data. Printing is supported and Compatibility with OpenOffice.org Base's file format (.odb) is not a standard at all (not OASIS/ODF, nor Kexi is), so it's not a matter of compatibility to select Base and not Kexi. Regarding compatibility, Kexi excels here because opens MS Access files (.mdb) out of the box (once kexi-mdb package is installed) and file associations are automatically added to KDE. OpenOffice.org Base supports this on MS Windows only.		 However Kexi is a much more stable application than the other KOffice applications, it includes good support for the MS Office format and there is no OpenDocument format so there is no issue of not fully supporting the standard format. It also connects to more databases than OpenOffice Base and does not rely on Java for some functionality.
Line 29: Line 28:
Antony wants to write a letter, he open KWord which runs fine on his machine with only 128MB of memory.

Stuart received a .mbd file, he uses Kexi to open it and convert to a native database.
Line 32: Line 34:
Use of ( parts of ) KOffice in Kubuntu desktop seed. Use of (parts of) KOffice in Kubuntu desktop seed.
Line 36: Line 38:
Wait for KOffice 2. When we make KDE 4 CDs make them with KOffice 2, assuming it's any good make that the default in Kubuntu. Wait for KOffice 2 before the full transition.
Line 38: Line 40:
Replace OpenOffice Base with Kexi. Replace OpenOffice Base with Kexi in the Kubuntu Desktop seed.

== Implementation ==

When we make unsupported KDE 4 remastered CDs (specified in KubuntuFeistyKde4Plan) make them with KOffice 2. If the feedback is good make that the default in the official Kubuntu releases. This will be feisty+1 or feisty+2.
Line 45: Line 51:
== Unresolved issues ==

 * KOffice 1.x as a whole isnt quite ready becouse of the lack of MS filetype support

== BoF agenda and discussion ==
 * Before we add KOffice into Kubuntu we should conduct some comparative tests with OpenOffice. Especially the support of Microsoft Office formats is a feature essential for a common user and as such it should be thoroughly tested.

Please check the status of this specification in Launchpad before editing it. If it is Approved, contact the Assignee or another knowledgeable person before making changes.

Summary

Move towards replacing OpenOffice.org with KOffice 1.6

Rationale

We want to move towards using KOffice by default because:

  • KOffice uses the already loaded kdelibs so will use less resources than OpenOffice.org and startup

    • is much faster.

  • Better integration with other default Kubuntu applications such as Krita,Kopete,Kontact & Kmail

  • Uses less space on the CDRom leaving room for future apps without removing language packs as Kubuntu grows
  • Support KDE applications in our KDE Based Distro

However it is not yet ready because there are major bugs in KOffice, despite major improvements in KOffice 1.6, specifically printing in KWord and use of KChart were current problems. With the changes from Qt 4 being used in KOffice 2 we will aim to use KOffice 2 when it is ready.

However Kexi is a much more stable application than the other KOffice applications, it includes good support for the MS Office format and there is no OpenDocument format so there is no issue of not fully supporting the standard format. It also connects to more databases than OpenOffice Base and does not rely on Java for some functionality.

Use cases

Antony wants to write a letter, he open KWord which runs fine on his machine with only 128MB of memory.

Stuart received a .mbd file, he uses Kexi to open it and convert to a native database.

Scope

Use of (parts of) KOffice in Kubuntu desktop seed.

Design

Wait for KOffice 2 before the full transition.

Replace OpenOffice Base with Kexi in the Kubuntu Desktop seed.

Implementation

When we make unsupported KDE 4 remastered CDs (specified in KubuntuFeistyKde4Plan) make them with KOffice 2. If the feedback is good make that the default in the official Kubuntu releases. This will be feisty+1 or feisty+2.

Data preservation and migration

  • Most file formats supported by OpenOffice.org are also supported by KOffice 1.6

  • Kexi has well proven support for MS Office Formats ( .mdb ) and can be imported and exported seemlessly

CategorySpec

KubuntuKofficeByDefault (last edited 2008-08-06 16:16:22 by localhost)